EAT: New Summer Seafood Menus at Modernista and Moka Bros, La Familia, and Bollywood Carnivore's Club
With the changing of the seasons come the many, many new menu items. This week we've gone to check out a few more, including an array of seafood dishes at the buzzing hutong-located Modernista, and plenty of healthy summery power bowls and salads at Sanlitun favorite Moka Bros.
Off Modernista's summer seafood specials menu we opted for the scallop carpaccio (RMB 62), which comes on a bed of potato puree, served with black truffle oil and volcanic black salt. The carpaccio was absolutely delicious, and we came to regret sharing one portion between two almost instantly. Note to self: never share scallop carpaccio.
On the list of mains, the holy flatfish fillet (RMB 78) was a real treat: a light white fish fillet panfried – simple, but tasty. The fish was seasoned well with salt and pepper, and a little bit of lime zest, and was served alongside potato puree.
My dining companion went with the steak, which came alongside cherries, a generous serving of rosemary and port wine sauce, and a side of basmati and wild black rice. Both of these mains get our hearty approval.
Moka Bros has taken their summer menu in a different direction, albeit with similar ingredients: lots of seafood. Expect plenty of raw fish as well as vegetarian options that make the most of Beijing's fresh summer fruits, such as watermelon and avocado salad (RMB 55, option to add parma ham RMB 25).
For a slightly more filling salad, try the power grenade (RMB 55, add RMB 38 to add salmon steak), a fresh and nutritious combination of lentils, kale, green peas, pomegranate, roasted parsnip, onions, peppers, and mixed with a leek vinaigrette.
After trying a few new items (all pictured at top), the salmon sashimi bibimbap (RMB 78) took the prize for our favorite. Fresh salmon sashimi, black rice, roasted pumpkin, kimchi, seaweed, avocado, a poached egg, and carrots make for a delicious Japanese-style bibimbap.
Both new menus are worth a returning trip, whether you're looking for a good piece of meat or fish à la Modernista, or in Sanlitun and looking for a healthy lunch boost courtesy of Moka Bros' power bowls and salads.
On the events front, their are some dates for foodies to note down in their calendars. On the last Sunday of every month, Chefs Daniel Urdaneta and Juan Mateus, of Mosto Group fame, will cook up a traditional South American family fare dish for the table to share (think rabo encendido/Cuban oxtail stew, cazuela Colombiana or an old-fashioned roast) as part of their La Familia event. Alex Molina will put on his favorite Beatles tracks, and the bar will be extra generous with RMB 30 wine pours. The dish will change, but the price stays RMB 100 per person (minimum two people per reservation).
This month's session falls on this coming Sunday (Jun 26), and is available between 5.30pm and 10pm. Get in touch with Mosto in advance to make your booking.
Later this month, on July 2, Feast (Food by East) take you on a Brickyard retreat with a Bollywood theme for their regular Carnivore's Club event, with a focus on promoting the often balked at offal.
This time, the two chefs will prepare an Indian family-style lamb-filled dinner, which includes a staycation at RMB 1,588 per couple. The price also covers the Carnivore’s Club dinner for two, and a night in one of their superior queen rooms with a view of the Great Wall, breakfast for two at the Lodge, outdoor jacuzzi and health center access, and a relaxing late checkout. To book your Carnivore Weekend Stay Package please contact Brickyard Retreat at reservations@brickyardatmutianyu.com.
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Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Photos: Margaux Schreurs, courtesy of the organizers
